Around the Gymternet: I am Beyonce always

UCLA beat Nebraska. In perhaps the most highly anticipated comeback since Jesus, Norah Flatley did beam and then saw herself on the jumbotron; Kyla Ross did a perfect Yurchenko 1.5; and Katelyn Ohashi has a new floor routine for y’all.

The Sooners came out on fire. Maggie Nichols got the season’s first 10, on vault, leading Oklahoma to a win over Arkansas (and a 198.050!). Brenna Dowell did the all-around for a 39.550.

The Utes won. MyKayla Skinner led Utah to a win over Penn State, including a stuck DTY.

Other happenings. McKenna Kelley came back for LSU in their win over Cal, Michigan won the Cancun Classic, and Cal’s Maya Bordas had this incredible save.

P.S. Meanwhile, Madison Kocian and Jordyn Wieber made an appearance at Gold Meets Golden, an event where athletes get to rub shoulders with the Famouses. Nastia Liukin was there, too, along with Nadia Comaneci and Kathy Johnson Clarke.

Some news

Four people have accused USA Gymnastics’ former head tumbling coach Sergio Galvez of sexual misconduct.

A group of Olympians is calling for Congress to overhaul the U.S. Olympic Committee.

A majority of Michigan State University’s board of trustees now supports reopening the Healing Assistance Fund for survivors. Governor Gretchen Whitmer also signed the petition to have the fund reopened.

FIG President Morinari Watanabe said in a New Year’s statement that “We all share the pain” of survivors of Larry Nassar’s abuse. He also says this year’s slogan is We Are Family, presumably because he shares my mother’s taste in music.

Ashton Locklear is showing progress in her comeback. Kara Eaker and Leanne Wong showed off some tricks on the tramp, and USAG compiled some other U.S. upgrades for us.

Required reading

How LSU’s Lexie Priessman relies on passion, persistence to get through pains of gymnastics career (The Advocate)

Welcome to the Gymternet, where fantasy gymnastics reigns supreme (The Washington Post)

I really wish interviewers would ask Simone original questions. She’s literally been asked about her adoptive parents EVERY SINGLE interview. Like we get it… she’s adopted–she even has a movie about it. We’ve also heard her talk about keeping her medals in a safe about 1,000 times. Some questions I would ask her are: You mentioned you were seeing a sports psychologist a few years ago, how did that help you? Are you still seeing the psychologist? Do you do any physical therapy, such as cupping, acupuncture, or ice baths? What is your everyday diet like–do you stick to a strict diet or do you indulge often? Do you keep in touch with your previous coach Amy? Do you live alone now or are you still living with your family? Are there any skills you perform that you’re actually afraid of? What events are you planning to upgrade? Do you plan on continuing gymnastics after Tokyo?

I’ve seen a couple of my questions asked before, but they were asked several years ago. The interviewer in this particular interview clearly knew nothing about Simone, or gymnastics in general. The questions were so vague and boring. She resorted to asking about what winter Olympic sports Simone watches and how she reaches her goals. Particularly, I’ve never seen her talk about her everyday diet. She mentioned she was looking for apartments, but hasn’t revealed whether she actually moved out. Never talked about therapy (although we’ve seen her in ice baths). Hasn’t been asked about the sports psychologist in 5 years. Never said which specific skills scare her. If I’m wrong about these please feel free to answer.